[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9019-9020]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SERGEANT JOE MOSS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2017

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Sergeant Joe 
Moss for his courageous service to our country. Sergeant Moss grew up 
in Kerens, Texas where he was drafted by the United States Army.
  Sergeant Moss grew up in the Fifth Congressional District of Texas, 
which I have the privilege of representing. After he graduated from 
Malakoff High School, he began his service in the infantry for the Army 
during the Vietnam War. During his brave and valiant service to our 
country he was severely injured. As the squad leader, Sergeant Moss' 
platoon came in contact with a land mine while on a maneuver. Two of 
Sergeant Moss' fellow soldiers were killed and several, including 
himself, were injured. Sergeant Moss lost both of his legs in the 
explosion, something that would dramatically change his life; it didn't 
however, change who Sergeant Moss truly was.
  There is no doubt that his selfless service to our country saved many 
lives while in Vietnam. He has helped countless veterans returning from 
battle by selflessly giving his time

[[Page 9020]]

and sharing his own experiences to mentor and support those who have 
fought for our country. While Sergeant Moss returned home in a 
wheelchair, he did not allow that to confine his tenacious spirit. 
Thirteen years after he returned, Sergeant Moss, along with a few 
friends who were also paraplegics, succeeded in climbing the rocky 
Guadalupe Peak--Texas' highest mountain which reaches 8,751 feet above 
sea level. The next day, President Ronald Reagan called to congratulate 
Sergeant Moss. Sergeant Moss is an inspiration and deserves to be 
honored. I know Sergeant Moss and his fellow soldiers did not all 
receive the return they truly deserved. So for Sergeant Moss and 
others, welcome home and thank you.
  Humbly, I echo the words of President Ronald Reagan, ``We will always 
remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we 
will always be free.'' And humbly, I offer my sincere gratitude to 
Sergeant Joe Moss for his service and acts of bravery that allow us the 
freedoms we enjoy today.

                          ____________________